Psychological Characteristics of Drug-Addicts and Non-Addicts

Abstract

The present study was designed to identify certain psychological characteristics associated with drug addicts which differentiate them from non-addicts. It was hypothesized that the drug addicts would be found different from the non-addicts on variables such as attitude towards drug taking, interpersonal relationship, self-concept, personal values, risk-taking, motivation, rebelliousness, pleasure seeking and peer influence.
A sample of one hundred male subjects including an equal number of drug addicts and non addicts which were carefully matched on variables such as, age, education, marital status, economic status and residential area.
The subjects were contacted at the Drug Abuse Treatment Centres (DATC) of Government Lady Reading Hospital Hayat Shaheed Teaching Hospital (HSTH), Mental Hospital and Dost Welfare Foundation Peshawar.
A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect the demographic information and other relevant information of drug-addicts and non-addicts.
Psycho-social characteristics rating (PSCR) Scale (Urdu version adopted) was administered to addicts and non-addicts. The results show a significant differences between addicts and non-addicts. Our findings indicate that the score of addicts show higher elevation on sub scales, attitude towards drug taking, risk-taking tendency, Rebelliousness, pleasure seeking and peer influence as compared to the non-addicts while the non-addicts show high elevation on the sub scales interpersonal relationship, self- concept, personal values and motivation as compared to the drug addicts. These results provide sufficient reasons to suspect that these differences in personality characteristics are associated with the vulnerability to drug addiction, which may be considered us a risk factors.
Hypotheses have been confirmed (P<.0001)
Another sample of 50 subjects including an equal number of addicts and non-addicts were also studied. These subjects were also matched on the above mentioned variables. Rorschach Ink Blot rest was administered on both the subjects to measure the inner psychological characteristics. The results obtained from Rorschach Ink Blot Test Data also revealed the findings which supports the formulated hypotheses.
The additional information collected through questionnaire found useful and relevant to the study. The author with the permission of his supervisor included these information in the present study.